Solar Concentrator/Research Development
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Overview
Research pertaining to the Solar Concentrator.
Links to DIY Projects
- Fresnel Type, circular from the Ukraine - [1]
Research
- Google.org
- Wikipedia: Maximum Power Point Tracking
- build it solar projects
- Arduino Heliostat / solar tracking
http://openframeworks.cc could have some useful code and application to this. It would probably only use one of these systems displayed. Also generally an amazing resource for realtime 3d, robotics, arduino control.
Open Source Ecology driven projects
In France, We proceeded using the iterated method product development lifecycle, defining the functional requirements, building table models, building the actual project. We started with a proof of concept developped in August 2015 during POC21 event in France, it was named Solar-OSE We are moving toward the first "alpha" version, not yet optimized in terms of costs, method of build and quality but full size, named Alpha-Sole it will be built in Autumn 2016. We will then develop the third and final version of this machine that will be fully optimized, yet to be named and conceptualized based on the findings over Alpha Sole and Solar Ose.
Development status
Demonstrator SolarOSE (proof of concept of 1KW peak power) : completed
the Functional requirements Full builduing guide Open Hardware on Wikifab.org Full builduing guide Open Hardware on instructables Complementary to this manual, you can find online more information on:
Software, Electronics, Modelling (once finalized), documentation, licence details: see Github discussions on our Forum the documentation and collaborative writing in French on our Wiki functional requirements giving a comparison between the present demonstrator and the next prototype the project in French: you can subscribe to our newsletter and more on our website: osefrance :)
AlphaSole (first module of 5KW Peak power) : on development
Planning
August 2016: Design, final Functional requirements September 2016: BOM + Models Octobre/Novembre 2016: Workshop December-March 2017: Testing March 2017 : on production
Functional requirements of Alphasole Prototype
English version here French version here Spanish version here
Functional Requirements of the Alphasole Prototype
French version here
Spanish version here
Design requirements
Within the scope of collaborative research, we work on the requirements of each element developped thereafter in the following sections. The discussion history between contributors is available through the links to the forum (in French):
L'historique des discussions entre contributeurs est accessible par les liens respectifs vers le forum :
* Structure forum [2] , * Concentrator optic forum [3] , * Engines, Program, Captors forum [4] , * Absorber forum [5] .
General
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Reduce risks | Pay attention to parasitic reflexions | * optical risks ; * risks related to high pressure and high temperature hydraulic circuit| |Cost (material, production, manufacturing, assembling) | Minimum | Minimum: <300€/m² | Savings possible with respect to demonstrator but not yet optimized|
3) Concentrator optic
[forum]
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Optical efficiency | Reflectivity (at normal angle) 0.9 | 60-70% | To fienetune: relevant/optimized geometry, cf cf [[6]] ; reflectivity of mirrors >= 0.9 ; other parameters : fouling, cleaning frequency, evolution through lifetime| |Robustness and lifetime | no requirement | 3 to 5 years | To be studied : * time? * warranty? * what efficiency loss? * renewal point, maintenance frequency. * economic balance? * also to be written in other sections : structure, optic. *to define: expensive elements, frame elements last longer: 20 years or more| |Accesibility for cleaning and maintenance | no requirement | yes | *easy cleaning of the mirrors; *maintenance and tuning of the facets once mounted; *access to receptor once mounted| |Thermal efficiency of the receptor | secondary concentration on the receptor > 1.5 | 70-80% efficiency as a goal|| |Total concentration factor | between 15 and 30 | between 15 and 30 | With 20 mirrors, it reaches about 15| |Secondary reflector (CPC) : design coordinated with absorber | 60% | yes| |
Structure
[forum]
Frame of mirrors set and receptor
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Independant structure: mirror, receptor | yes | No | Fixed relative position, to be set in accordance with latitude| |Resistance to ambiant environment | yes, punctually |yes, permanently | wind speed, hail, rain, snow, dust| |Sufficient stiffness against vibrations and deformation | yes | yes | | |Ground fixing | Adjustable feet | Fixed | Concrete base to be planned or fixation to an existing structure, roof... Study carefully stiffness, stability...| |Assembling easiness | yes | yes | kit possible| |Transport easiness | yes | no| |Welding | the least possible | Ok | No requirement initially, compromise between : building complexity and assembling easiness| |Limitation of accident risks | yes | yes | at all stages : manufacturing, assembling |
Structure of mirrors facets
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Fresnel mirror: area| 2x2 m$^2$ with 20 facets 10 cm wide|defined by the power need (5KW )|| |Mirror deformation limitation | deflection lower than 5 mm | 0.1° facet orientation, respectively 1cm on the receptor | (a priori) depends on receptor height, valid for 1.5m height| |Sun tracking (east west) | >120° respectively 8h tracking | 12h tracking | respective rotation of 90° in 12h| |Bad weather protection | yes | yes | for instance: 180° range (mirrors down)| |Optical alignment possible through a tuning needless of special tools | yes | yes|Better: procedure to be updated for calibration| |Easy switching of mirror facets | yes | yes | more generally: easy maintenance|
Système de suivi (Moteurs, Programme, Capteurs)
[forum]
6) tracking system (engines, program, sensors)
[forum]
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Real time accurate tracking of the sun motion | yes | yes | Plan a failsoft mode in case of a failure of the tracking system |Motorisation of mirrors | yes | yes | | |Electricity consumption | - | Minimum achievable | Plan an autonomous working mode (no connection to electical grid)? (photovoltaic pannel?)| |Number of engines | Minimum | One per module or one for all the system | To be validated regarding the other technical choices (structure)| |Sun tracking to get the right angle | yes | yes, with necessary accuracy | Goal: send all the beams of each mirror on the width of the recptor (CPC width)| |Sensors (weather condition detection) | - | yes | * ambiant temperature, direct sun radiation. (as a complement of process sensors (boiler and use))| |Fluid temperature and pressure measurements | yes | drive the circulating pump controlled by pressure and/or temperature (according to use). Steam flow rate sensor? Liquid water level sensor? => depends on type of use| |System automatic shutdown | Optional | Safety in case of electrical outage (circulating pump stopped => temperature increase) + in case of a storm (mirrors down (if possible)). (Resistance to hail?)| |Simple controlling panel | yes | Programming expert mode when needed, but simple to use| ideas: remote access ? consultation des informations de fonctionnement (et historique ?)To be scheduled|
|===7) Receiver unit (absorber)=== [forum]
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Specific design for the working fluid, natural or forced circulation | 100% | yes | | |Selective material: High absorption qualities through all the solar spectrum : 100% , Absorbance 90%, infrared emissivity 15% : material intrinsically absorbant (or absorptive coating) | = high absorbance through all the solar spectrum and low infrared emissivity| |High thermal exchange between absorber and fluid | 60% | yes | material and conduction-convection in the fluid| |The system should be thermally insulated (with respect to ambiant air, infrared radiation) | 60% | yes | see requirement for the overall thermal efficiency (insulation material above and glass below)| |Good resistance to temperature variation (material expansion, tightness) | 60% | yes | In particular, risks related to high temperatures and pressure of fluid|
Ideas:
- modularity is hardly compatible with the high constraints of the absorber (pressure, temperature variation etc.)
- In case of frost, the absorber should be emptied (or the frost might destroy it). =>Ambiant temperature sensor + electric valve? =>design of the absorber enabling the complete emtying.
Usage
Requirements to be better defined with user
Functioning
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Position: avoid building shadow and other masks | - |?| |Running range | - | ? | *for a sun exposure not in first hour nor in last hour, *for which hour range in the day, in the season, * for which latitude| |Temperature level | - | ? | Optic and best technology may be different with respect to temperature. Example: *Hot water production at 80°C; *Steam production at 130°C from liquid water; *Steam Superheating from 150°C to 250°C|
Hydraulic circuit
^Requirement ^ Demonstrator ^ Prototype ^ Comments for protototype^ |Pressure losses | - | Minimum | Limit pressure losses, above all for light fluids : air, steam| |Open/closed circuit | - | ?| | |Mineral scale risks | - | ? | Gives good reason to run in a closed circuit...| |Fluid | - | ?| |
Ideas: Could we have a feedback from the user? Which power (mini, maxi average) does he need? During how many hours? And for which season. At my parents', lavander distillery: July. Canned food and Jam from June to september.
See Also
- Solar to Electrical
- Solar Thermal Electrical Generation
- Parabolic Trough Prototype
- Other Solar Thermal Companies
- Solar Collector Calculations
- Linear Fresnel Solar Concentrator
